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TOOLS · Tracker

E-Invoicing & ViDA Mandate Tracker

The deadline, format, and obligation for every country with an active or upcoming e-invoicing mandate — in one place, updated as rules change. No sign-up.

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DE

Germany e-invoicing

EU · EN 16931 (no single format)

Receiving has been mandatory since 2025. Issuing phases in by turnover — large first, everyone by 2028. Both XRechnung and ZUGFeRD are accepted.

Within 12 months

Applies to

B2B, B2G

January 1, 2027

Next phase deadline

Issuing >€800k turnover: 1 Jan 2027

Does this apply to me?

Three questions. The fixed-establishment rule is where most foreign businesses get it wrong.

Is your business established in Germany (registered office, branch or fixed establishment)?

How large is your Germany business?

Germany: likely outside the issuing mandate — watch e-reporting / cross-border

VAT registration or trading alone, without a fixed establishment, usually keeps you outside Germany's issuing obligation — but you may still face e-reporting or need to receive structured e-invoices. Confirm your establishment status.

Not in scope for Germany

With no establishment and no registration or trade in Germany, the mandate doesn't apply to you today. Revisit this if you open a branch, warehouse or start supplying into Germany.

In scope — Germany first wave (from 1 January 2027)

As a larger established business (annual turnover above €800k), your obligation begins 1 January 2027. Start platform selection and ERP mapping now.

In scope — Germany later phase (from 1 January 2028)

Your issuing obligation begins 1 January 2028, but receiving capability is needed earlier — don't wait for your own deadline to prepare.

Phases & who's affected when

A single date hides the rollout. Here's the full sequence.

1 January 2025

All businesses must receive

Receiving an EN 16931-compliant e-invoice has been mandatory since the start of 2025.

Done

1 January 2027

Issuing — turnover >€800k

Businesses above €800k annual turnover must issue structured e-invoices for domestic B2B.

Next

1 January 2028

All remaining businesses must issue

The issuing obligation extends to every business, completing the rollout.

Future

The technical facts

The standards, scope and dates that define the mandate – at a glance.

Transaction scope

B2B, B2G

Model

EN 16931 (no single format)

Formats

XRechnung, ZUGFeRD

Region

EU

STATUS

Within 12 months

Scope

Receiving mandatory since Jan 2025. Issuing phases in by turnover: >€800k from 1 Jan 2027; all businesses from 1 Jan 2028.

Penalties & grace period

General VAT documentation penalties apply; no dedicated e-invoicing fine regime, but non-compliant invoices risk input-VAT deduction.

Read the full Germany guide

The complete VATabout deep-dive: legislation, platform selection, and reporting detail. 

Read the guide →

Stay Ahead of VAT Changes

Don't miss crucial VAT developments that could impact your business or practice.